Introduction

2 Cor. 13:5. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

The subject of this book is a very scary one for many people. They are afraid of what they will find. They don’t know how. For many their “faith” is really “second-hand” faith, one they blindly and stubbornly cling to in the vain hope that it will get them to heaven. But how foolish it is to gamble your soul on an unexamined faith. It is far worse than jumping out of an airplane without making sure you have a good parachute.

My purpose in examining this critical subject is not to injure or to cause needless fear but rather to strip away every false hope, every defective parachute, so that we may face eternity with the same confidence Paul had when he said, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 2 Tim 1:12.

Paul said to “examine yourselves.” There must be a way to do that. But for many it is necessary first to thoroughly establish why it is that we need to do it. It doesn’t take a genius to see that the so-called Christian world is full of confusing and contradictory ideas about what it takes to be ready for the judgment day that will certainly come. Besides that Jesus plainly warned that His coming would be unexpected and that all who would be a part of His eternal kingdom must “be ready.” Luke 12:40.

My prayer is that this book will comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable. There are many with a false sense of security who need to be awakened to their need while there is yet time. But there are also genuine born-again believers whose confidence is under attack from the enemy of their souls and who need a greater assurance. God’s desire for both categories is that they come to a place of spiritual rest and confidence, a confidence that is on solid ground -- Jesus Christ, and him crucified.